This guest post is by Ryan who was accepted into Montclair State University. Ryan is applying for the Spring 2026 Making a Difference Autism Scholarship via the nonprofit KFM Making a Difference started by me, Kerry Magro. I was nonspeaking till 2.5 and diagnosed with autism at 4 and you can read more about my organization here.
Autistics on Autism the Next Chapter: Stories You Need to Hear About What Helped Them While Growing Up and Pursuing Their Dreams was released on Amazon on 3/25/25 and looks at the lives over 75 Autistic adults. 100% of the proceeds from this book will go back to supporting our nonprofits many initiatives, like this scholarship program. Check out the book here. Would you like me to travel to speak with your school or company on autism and inclusion? You can contact me here for more details.
The way we express ourselves has a profound impact on how we are treated and how we move through the world. For me, my identity as both a transgender man and a person on the autism spectrum are not separate parts of my life. They are deeply intertwined.
Like autism, gender exists on a spectrum. It cannot be confined to a rigid binary. Growing up, dance was my entire world. I began training as a child and envisioned my future clearly: I would remain the same young female dancer and eventually become a prima ballerina. Dance was not just something I did. It was who I was.
So when I recognized around age eleven that I was transgender, it felt like everything I had carefully planned was collapsing. I believed that transitioning meant abandoning dance entirely. I could not imagine a version of myself who could exist authentically and continue pursuing the art form I loved.
I quit dancing.
Although my love for dance never disappeared, it became tangled with feelings of gender dysphoria and insecurity. Even hearing the word “dance” triggered discomfort. Around this same time, I was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Receiving that diagnosis brought unexpected relief. It validated the challenges I had experienced throughout childhood and gave me access to the educational and healthcare supports I needed. It also helped me better understand my experience as a transgender individual navigating a world that often misunderstands difference.
After working through complex emotions and beginning my transition, I made a decision that changed everything: I returned to dance.
Starting over was physically demanding and mentally exhausting. My body had changed. My confidence had changed. My perspective had changed. But slowly, with encouragement from my instructors and unwavering support from my loved ones, I began rebuilding not just my technique, but my relationship with myself.
Today, I am proud of the artistic and technical growth I have achieved. Dance is no longer tied to dysphoria. It is tied to authenticity. I am now preparing to pursue a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Contemporary Dance, with hopes of integrating movement into digital animation as well.
Autism has shaped my educational journey in meaningful ways. Although I have an IEP, I am capable of working independently and maintaining strong academic performance. In fact, I often gravitate toward leadership roles. Currently, I am directing an animated short film in my digital animation program. Leading a team has strengthened my communication skills and deepened my appreciation for collaborative artistry.
Outside the classroom, I channel my experiences into advocacy. This year, I was selected as a Student Equity Ambassador for Loudoun County Public Schools. In this role, I collaborate with other students to develop solutions that promote diversity, inclusion, and equity within our community. The program has been incredibly fulfilling and has strengthened my commitment to activism.
While I feel supported by many peers, navigating neurotypical spaces can still be challenging. Misunderstanding and lack of education create barriers. Although I do not wish to erase my neurodivergence, I do wish the world were structured with accessibility in mind from the beginning. After years of struggling to find genuine connection, I now have three close friends who accept and understand me fully. For the first time, I feel seen rather than judged.
My goal is to create art that resonates. I want my choreography, my animation, and my activism to leave a lasting impact. Even influencing one person — helping them feel understood or inspired — would mean I have fulfilled my purpose.
Dance once felt like something I had to give up in order to survive. Now it is the very thing that allows me to thrive.
My identities as a transgender man and as an autistic individual are not obstacles to my future. They are the foundation of it.
Kerry Magro, a professional speaker and best-selling author who is also on the autism spectrum started the nonprofit KFM Making a Difference in 2011 to help students with autism receive scholarship aid to pursue a post-secondary education. Help us continue to help students with autism go to college by making a tax-deductible donation to our nonprofit here.
Kerry Magro, a professional speaker and best-selling author who is also on the autism spectrum, founded the nonprofit KFM Making a Difference in 2011 to help students with autism receive scholarship support to pursue post-secondary education. You can help us continue supporting autistic students by making a tax-deductible donation to our nonprofit here.
You can also consider having Kerry speak at your next event by submitting an inquiry here. Kerry speaks with schools, businesses, government agencies, colleges, nonprofits, parent groups, and conferences on topics including autism, employment, college success, mental health, inclusion, and bullying prevention.
